Scottish asbestos victims win right to claim compensation

Scottish victims of an asbestos-related lung condition yesterday welcomed a “momentous and monumental” ruling from the Supreme Court that allows them to sue the insurance giants who refuse to pay them compensation.

The London-based judges upheld Holyrood legislation, passed in 2009, which states that pleural plaques sufferers are entitled to payouts. Their judgment opens the floodgates for claims believed to total hundreds of millions of pounds. However, English sufferers are still prevented from claiming compensation as there is no equivalent Westminster legislation.

Yesterday’s decision also appeared to bring a thawing in the attitude of SNP ministers towards the bench. Just a few months ago they accused senior judges of interfering with Scots law and issued veiled threats about withdrawing funding.